Union Workhouse, Tipperary Town

montgo · 08-10-2014 03:27PM #1

IFHF is showing a death record in 1903 where the person died in the Union Workhouse, Tipperary. I am wondering why he would have died there as the family were not poor. He was married with children.

Did the workhouse have the only hospital that he could attend? Any other reason why he died there?

pedroeibar1 · 08-10-2014 06:51PM

montgo wrote: »

IFHF is showing a death record in 1903 where the person died in the Union Workhouse, Tipperary. I am wondering why he would have died there as the family were not poor. He was married with children.

Did the workhouse have the only hospital that he could attend? Any other reason why he died there?

By 1903 the WH was often used as a type of infirmary; I'd guess that he went in there as he had a terminal illness. The cause of death will be a pointer - possibly phthysis i.e. TB which was a big killer.

montgo · 08-10-2014 07:12PM

Thanks Pedro for explaining that.

The death cert. states pelvic abscess? so wouldn't have thought that in itself would be terminal. Maybe he had other complications.

pedroeibar1 · 08-10-2014 10:52PM

In 1903 more or less all internal abcesses could be fatal due to a lack of antibiotics. Reading a few on-line texts on the topic of pelvic abcess it most likely (for a male) was a follow-on from appendicitis / peritonitis. One of my GGfather's died similar place, same year/financial/family situations, but of TB.

montgo · 09-10-2014 04:03PM

Pedro, tks for additional info.

Another query. I am searching for death records of my gggrandmothers' siblings. One was called Owen and the only death record I can find is a Eugene who died 1890. Obviously same name - the informant in this case was the Co. Coroner! Any chance of coroner's records being available for Co. Limerick from back then?

Union Workhouse, Tipperary Town

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